Towards food systems transformation in the Mediterranean region: Unleashing the power of data, policy, investment and innovation

doi:10.30682/nm2103a

Abstract

There is an abundance of actions that could positively change the way food systems operate in the Mediterranean region. However, the uptake of these actions at local level has proven to be slow and often limited in their scope and impact. Considering the diverse nature of agri-food systems challenges in the region, trade-offs in interventions and the diversity of stakeholders, a radical shift from focusing on top-down, global solutions for sustainable food systems, to adapting demand driven, country-led actions is required. This review uses a food systems lens to identify four levers which are essential to “enable” and accelerate the adoption of game changing solutions to food systems challenges by local actors in the Mediterranean region. These are namely: 1) Multi-stakeholder collaboration; 2) Data and evidence; 3) Technological innovation; and 4) Coherent policies and investment. We recognize that each of these enablers is a powerful mean of change, but the evidence suggests that a sustainable and inclusive transformation is only possible when they are deployed together in an integrated and inten-tional way. Results of this review outline some of the barriers to unlocking the potential of enablers and provide insights on how to use their power to transform Mediterranean food systems.

Highlights

The world’s food systems have undergone notable transitions over the past century, from traditional to more industrial practices, with different degrees of vertical, horizontal and human development
The methodology was developed to respond to three main questions: What are the most powerful levers for accelerating progress towards more sustainable food systems? What are the limiting factors hindering their transformative potential at local level? How could they be leveraged to deliver impact at scale in the Mediterranean region?
Our analysis highlights some of the barriers to unleashing the potential of enablers, which provides insights on how to use their power to make sustainable and positive change in Mediterranean food system

Summary

Introduction

The world’s food systems have undergone notable transitions over the past century, from traditional to more industrial practices, with different degrees of vertical, horizontal and human development. Data and evidence paint a rather grim picture of today’s food systems in terms of their contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Recent estimates (FAO et al, SOFI 2020a) indicate that globally nearly. 690 million people suffer from chronic hunger, further been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. More than two billion people are overweight and obese, and more than three billion people cannot afford a healthy diet. A major contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the global food system is the primary driver of biodiversity loss, continues overuse of freshwater for agriculture, degrades soils and drives down the productive capacity of land (IPCC, 2019)

Methods

Results

Conclusion